Fostering Sibling Love

I almost decided not to continue. Not because I didn't like it, or because Connor didn't like it, but because I didn't know how I'd handle it come Sept/Oct when I have a newborn to deal with.

After much discussing and talking and more discussing and so on we decided to go ahead. We ordered our first "ready set" curriculum so I'd have little work to do. Then I've started planning and preparing to add some things in for Emma.

I am so glad we decided to continue. It's going to be hard. But I know it will be worth it.

Like any (or at least most) siblings Connor and Emma have many battles. Most of which are caused with the typical big brother picking on little sister. But there are moments of drama baby girl just causing drama because Connor looked at her wrong. Or whatever. I don't know why she throws those fits when Connor comes too close.

This week we focused on what it means to be "faithful". Like you're a good friend. Especially to your siblings. On Friday.... the very last lesson of the week.... I think it finally sunk in to Connor. For the entire day he was nothing but a sweetheart to his sister.

Emma's having trouble eating her oatmeal? Big brother to the rescue.

Emma wants to read some books? Big brother is there to help her look through them all. Actually he made most of the mess because he was looking for one book in particular. I'm a Big Brother.

We went outside later in the day and he wanted his sunglasses. He went in to grab them as I hung laundry and came out with Emma's glasses too and helped her put them on.

This day I always want to remember.

If we didn't home school there wouldn't be many moments like this. Simply because they wouldn't be together all day to have the opportunity to do these things and get to know each other.. With their age gap they wouldn't have the same friends. They'd only get a few hours a day together to work out their issues.

My youngest brother and I have a really big gap between us. 7 years. I've always loved him and known him as my brother. But .... lately I've realized I don't know him. Not outside of just being my brother and having similar humors and quirks. Not like my other siblings. We are all close in age and grew up all together with common friends between us 3. We played at home together. We went to classes together. We did after school things together. With the youngest, we never had that. We didn't even go to the same school, ever.

Connor and Emma? They get to go to the same school. They get to hang out together, they get to 'go to class' together. They get to do after school things together.

Today we went to the store and they sat side by side in a Firetruck shopping cart. They fought. But after awhile little Emma reached over and hugged her little brother. Just randomly. Then petted his head and hugged him again saying "awww." Then they had little giggles and jokes that only siblings can know.

This is a moment I want to remember. In case I have second thoughts again. ;)

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Connect with me:Follow @chocoholicmomma________________________I am an American (from "the Mitten"), that now lives in Canada. I am a stay at home mom that's beginning her 5th year homeschooling with three kids - a 9 year old, a 6 year old and a 4 yr old.

I am a Christian, a hobbyist photographer, collector of children's books, lover of chocolate and sometimes I can call myself a runner.________________________